DESIGNED BY GIUSEPPE MICHIELI, EXECUTED BY M. GUGGENHEIM, 1867

Details

A pair of Venetian gilt-bronze eighteen-light candelabra
Designed by Giuseppe Michieli, Executed by M. Guggenheim, 1867
Each surmounted by a lion holding a coat-of-arms, seated on a sphere, above eighteen scroll branches, each with a gadrooned nozzle, above a stem decorated with musical trophies, rams masks, putti, winged lions and dancing figures, supported by three blackamoors, each seated on a sea hippocampus, the triform base centred to each side by a putto playing with a dolphin, on a grotesque and acanthus spreading base, on three paw feet, the apron centred to each side by a female mask, one stamped FABBRICA M. GUGGENHEIM VENEZIA once, the other twice; on a parcel-gilt walnut triform base, each side centred by a putto, flanked by flower swags, supported by sea monsters
87¾ in. (223 cm.) high overall (2)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

An almost identical candelabrum was exhibited at the 1867 Paris Expostion Universelle. The design is reproduced in the Illustrated Catalogue of the Universal Exhibition and referred to as The Bronze chandelier, a work of true Art, is the production of Joseph Michieli, a distinguished artist-manufacturer of Venice.

The coat-of-arms heading both candelabra are those of Michiele, an old Venetian noble family, of which three members became Doges: Vitale I, Domenico and Vitale II, two became bishops and several Pocuratore di San Marco, the Venetian High Court judge.

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